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. 2024 Nov 5:11:1486746.
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1486746. eCollection 2024.

Effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise on balance, falls, and motor function in older adults: a meta-analysis

Liangxing Li  1 , Shoujun Guo  2 , Bing Ding  3 , Jinsong Zhang  1
Affiliations

Effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise on balance, falls, and motor function in older adults: a meta-analysis

Liangxing Li et al. Front Med (Lausanne). .

Abstract

Objective: This study systematically evaluated Tai Chi's effects on balance, fall prevention, and physical function in older adults.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and EMbase databases included randomized controlled trials published up to August 2024. The meta-analysis used RevMan 5.4 and applied the GRADE framework to assess evidence quality.

Results: Twenty-two studies met the criteria. Tai Chi significantly improved balance and physical function, particularly in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), one-leg standing with eyes closed (OLS-C), and Timed up-and-go test (TUG). Fear of falling (FOF) also reduced, though changes in Tinetti Balance Test (TBT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Tai Chi effectively enhances balance and physical function in older adults, with notable potential for fall risk reduction. While some tests showed no significant effect, overall results support Tai Chi as a valuable intervention to promote older adults' health.

Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2024-8-0082/.

Keywords: Tai Chi; balance; falls; older adults; physical functional abilities.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Literature screening process and results.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Methodological quality distribution of the included 22 RCTs; (B) Bias risk graph and summary for the included 22 RCTs.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Meta-analysis outcomes. (A) BBS; (B) OLS-C; (C) TUG; (D) FES; (E) TBT; (F) Fall efficacy; (G) FOF; (H) SPPB; (I) Chair stand test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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